19:6
The chief priests and officers were not to be placated and cried out “crucify Him”. Note that it is the religious leaders and their officials who are crying out crucify Him, not the general populace. We see here the hardening effect of sin. They were so determined to have Jesus crucified that nothing less would satisfy them. Pilate then gives Jesus over to them, knowing that they do not actually have the authority to crucify Him.
19:7,8
The Jews then referred to the Law saying blasphemers should be put to death, and in claiming to be the Son of God Jesus was claiming equality with God. This put even more fear into Pilate. Now why was this? Maybe it was because he could see the Jews were not going to be bought off with anything less than the crucifixion of Jesus. Or maybe it was the mention of His being the Son of God. Pilate had met Jesus and knew that there was something different about Him. He had a sense of the enormity of the position he was in, but he was unable to respond in a manner that equated with that position.
19:9
In response to his fear Pilate went back inside the palace to speak again with Jesus. “Where do you come from?” We read these words as a simple question, but Pilate was probably saying them in desperation and fear. Despite the position of power that he had, he knew he was dealing with something and someone far greater than himself, and far greater than the Roman empire. Jesus remained silent. Earlier He had replied to Pilate’s questions, but had received no good response. So now He remains silent.
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